It is no secret that today's golfers on the PGA Tour are earning far more money than golfers did 20 years ago and many point to the popularity of Tiger Woods as the No. 1 reason. However, while Woods almost certainly has impacted winnings, his overall impact is probably being overstated by those who feel the Jordan Spieths of the golf world — with his enormous career winnings already — owe everything to Woods.

The evidence to support Woods's impact is pretty simple and compelling....